Mt. Shasta Winds Down Season; Looks To Increase Access

At A Glance

Where

Mt. Shasta Ski Park, CA

Price

$29

Mt. Shasta, like much of California, saw snow dump after snow dump roll in this winter, drawing visitation to the slopes. But the resort had to turn skiers and riders away on busy weekends even though the lifts didn't have lines. All that should change next winter.

"We had a fantastic snow year," marketing manager Jim Mullins told OnTheSnow.com. Mid-March measurements still recorded 10 feet of snowpack on upper slopes and six feet in the base area while skiers still hit the slopes in big numbers.

The frustration for Mt. Shasta came on busy weekends. Skiers and riders had to be turned away due to the lack of parking space rather than long lift lines. The resort plans to remedy that this summer by adding another parking lot. "The new parking lot should solve the problem," said Mullins, "and we still won't have lift lines."

Lift tickets are available this spring for $29 Mondays through Thursdays. The resort plans to operate its lifts through April 11 with the traditional pond skimming event drawing skiers and riders to the slopes on Saturday of closing weekend for the final bash, featuring the music of The Billies.

Mt. Shasta started dabbling last summer in mountain bike races, running its Shastarama in July. The weekend event, which includes a downhill and cross-country race, will most likely make the July schedule this summer, too.